0001554859false00015548592023-03-192023-03-19

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

______________________

FORM 8-K

______________________

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 19, 2023

______________________

SEMLER SCIENTIFIC, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

    

001-36305

    

26-1367393

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

2340-2348 Walsh Avenue, Suite 2344
Santa ClaraCA

    

95051

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (877) 774-4211

______________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

   

Trading 
Symbol(s)

    

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

 

SMLR

 

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On March 21, 2023, Semler Scientific, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2022. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

The information contained in this Item 2.02 and in the accompanying Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On March 19, 2023, Douglas Murphy-Chutorian notified Semler that he intended to resign as chief executive officer in the near term but that he will remain an employee for a period of time to assist with the transition. In connection with his resignation, Semler anticipates that it will enter into a separation agreement to provide for certain severance and other termination benefits in recognition of his years of service and contributions to Semler.

In light of Dr. Murphy-Chutorian’s notification, on March 21, 2023, Semler’s board of directors appointed Wayne T. Pan, M.D., Ph.D., and current member of the board, as Semler’s chief executive officer and president, effective April 3, 2023.

Wayne T. Pan, M.D., Ph.D., age [59], has served as a member of our board of directors since May 2014 and was appointed as chief executive officer in March 2023. Dr. Pan has over 20 years of broad healthcare industry experience from clinical medicine, to managed care, health information technology and biotechnology. Prior to his appointment as chief executive officer, from May 2022 through March 2023, Dr. Pan served as medical director at Banner Health, Insurance Division, responsible for all of Banner’s Medicare Programs, including HMO, PPO and D-SNP. Prior to Banner, from June 2021 to May 2022, he was co-founder and chief medical officer of Salusive, Inc., a technology-enabled healthcare services company, based in Emeryville, CA, providing chronic care management and remote patient monitoring services to help physicians manage older adults with chronic conditions, leveraging a proprietary NLP/AI platform that enhances the effectiveness of clinical coaches in real-time as they connect with their patients. From May 2018 to June 2021, he was employed by BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., a biotechnology company based in Novato, CA, initially as a medical director in Global Medical Affairs, functioning as the Global Medical Lead for products in development and marketed products treating the mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) diseases, Morquio A (MPS IVA), Maroteaux-Lamy (MPS VI) and Sanfilippo B (MPS IIIB) syndromes. In January 2021 he moved to the Product Portfolio Development organization as a director, core team leader supporting the PKU gene therapy program. He is also a part-time medical director at San Francisco Health Plan, since May 2014, responsible for utilization management, appeals and grievances and quality improvement programs. From April 2016 to February 2018, he was a medical director in Quality of Care and Health Economics and Outcomes Research, US Medical Affairs at Genentech, Inc., a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco. Earlier in his career, Dr. Pan was a practicing fellowship-trained orthopaedic hand surgeon, a CMO at several regional Medicaid/Medicare Advantage health plans, and CMO of medical groups in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Pan holds an M.B.A. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and an M.D. and Ph.D. from the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and a B.S. in Biology from Johns Hopkins University.

In connection with his expected appointment as president and chief executive officer, Semler and Dr. Pan expect to enter into an employment agreement providing for compensation and benefits consistent with his new role, which Semler will disclose once finalized. As a current director, Dr. Pan is party to Semler’s standard form indemnification agreement. There are no family relationships between Dr. Pan and any member of Semler’s board of directors or executive officers.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

The information contained in this Item 9.01 and in the accompanying Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference in any filing

under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No. 

Description

99.1

Press Release of Semler Scientific, Inc., dated March 21, 2023.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

SEMLER SCIENTIFIC, INC.

 

 

 

Date: March 21, 2023

By:

/s/ Douglas Murphy-Chutorian

 

 

Name: Douglas Murphy-Chutorian 

Title: Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 99.1

Graphic

Semler Scientific Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results

2022 Q4 and Full Year highlights compared to the corresponding period of 2021:

Fourth quarter revenue was $13.8 million, an increase of 20%
Fourth quarter net income was $3.2 million, an increase of 113%
Full year revenue was $56.7 million, an increase of 7%
Full year net income was $14.3 million, a decrease of 17%
Cash at December 31, 2022 increased to $43.1 million, including short-term investments

Corporate update:

CEO transition announced; see separate press release issued today

Santa Clara, CA – March 21, 2022 – Semler Scientific, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMLR), a company that provides technology solutions to improve the clinical effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare providers, today reported financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2022.

“Our QuantaFlo® product continues to expand its penetration due to the clinical benefits of earlier recognition of vascular disease,” said Doug Murphy-Chutorian, M.D., chief executive officer of Semler Scientific. “In 2022, two pivotal studies using our QuantaFlo® test for peripheral arterial disease under real world conditions appeared in peer-reviewed journals illustrating the benefits of both in-home and outpatient screening.”

Semler Scientific announced that Doug Murphy-Chutorian, M.D. has informed the board of directors of his intention to step down from his position as chief executive officer of Semler Scientific and assist for a transition period. He will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors at least through the remainder of his 2024 term.

Semler Scientific’s board of directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Wayne T. Pan, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A. as CEO to succeed Dr. Murphy-Chutorian. Dr. Pan’s appointment as CEO will be effective from April 3, 2023 and Dr. Pan will remain a member of our board of directors.

FINANCIAL RESULTS

For the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the corresponding period of 2021, Semler Scientific reported:

Revenue of $56.7 million, an increase of $3.7 million, or 7%, compared to $53.0 million.
oFixed fee software license revenues were $34.0 million, an increase of $3.5 million, or 11%, compared to $30.5 million.

Page 1 of 9


oVariable fee software license revenues were $21.3 million, a decrease of $0.2 million, or 1%, compared to $21.5 million.
oSales of other products were $1.4 million, an increase of $0.4 million, or 42%, compared to $1.0 million.
Cost of revenues of $4.2 million, a decrease of $1.9 million, or 31%, compared to $6.1 million. As a percentage of revenues, cost of revenues decreased to 8%, compared to 12%.
Total operating expenses of $39.5 million, which includes cost of revenues, an increase of $5.9 million, or 18%, compared to $33.6 million. As a percentage of revenues, operating expenses increased to 70% compared to 63%.
Pre-tax net income of $17.7 million, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 9%, compared to $19.5 million.
Income tax expense of $3.4 million, or an effective tax rate of 19%, compared to $2.2 million, or an effective tax rate of 11%.
Net income of $14.3 million, or $2.13 per basic share and $1.79 per diluted share, a decrease of $2.9 million, or 17%, compared to $17.2 million, or $2.56 per basic share and $2.12 per diluted share.

Note: Cost of revenues for the twelve months ending December 31, 2021 reflects the write-down of $1.2 million of inventory due to termination of a distribution agreement.

Semler Scientific’s two largest customers (including their affiliates) comprised 40.4% and 29.0% of annual revenues in 2022.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2022, compared to the corresponding period of 2021, Semler Scientific reported:

Revenue of $13.8 million, an increase of $2.3 million, or 20%, compared to $11.5 million.
oFixed fee software license revenues were $9.0 million, an increase of $1.1 million, or 14%, compared to $7.9 million.
oVariable fee software license revenues were $4.5 million, an increase of $1.0 million, or 30%, compared to $3.5 million.
oSales of other products were $0.3 million, an increase of $0.2 million, or 96%, compared to $0.1 million.
Cost of revenues of $1.2 million, a decrease of $1.0 million, or 45%, compared to $2.2 million. As a percentage of revenues, cost of revenues decreased to 9% compared to 19%.
Total operating expenses of $10.2 million, which includes cost of revenues, an increase of $0.4 million, or 4%, compared to $9.8 million. As a percentage of revenues, operating expenses decreased to 74% compared to 85%.
Pre-tax net income of $4.0 million, an increase of $2.3 million, or 132%, compared to $1.7 million.
Income tax expense of $0.7 million, or an effective tax rate of 18%, compared to $0.2 million, or an effective tax rate of 12%.
Net income of $3.2 million, or $0.48 per basic share and $0.41 per diluted share, an increase of $1.7 million, or 113%, compared to $1.5 million, or $0.22 per basic share and $0.18 per diluted share.
There were no share repurchases during the fourth quarter.

Note: Cost of revenues for the three months ending December 31, 2021 reflects the write-down of $1.2 million of inventory due to termination of a distribution agreement.

Page 2 of 9


Semler Scientific’s two largest customers (including their affiliates) comprised 43.3% and 25.8% of fourth quarter revenues in 2022.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2022

Among the achievements during 2022 were:

1Record high annual revenues since inception
2Cash position including short-term investments in U.S.treasury bills, increased to $43.1 million
3Two publications of independently conducted, peer-reviewed pivotal studies with long-term follow-up written by large customers that support the use of QuantaFlo® for their patients
4Introduction of QuantaFlo® for use as an aid to measure hemodynamics related to heart dysfunction
5Additional investments in two private companies, Mellitus Health, Inc. and Monarch Medical Technology, LLC, in the diabetes space with software products that recommend optimal dosing of insulin for the out-patient and inpatient space

OTHER NEWS TO DATE IN 2023

In early February 2023, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an “Advance Notice” with proposed payment updates for the Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug programs. This notice is intended to inform interested parties of proposed changes for 2024, which included some potential changes to treatment of vascular disease under the Medicare Advantage risk adjustment model. Semler Scientific has submitted comments on the proposed updates to CMS for consideration, citing published research that shows the benefit of early diagnosis and treatment of peripheral artery disease in improving clinical outcomes. Semler Scientific is continuing to assess the proposed changes, and it is premature to speculate about potential impacts to its business at this time. CMS will issue the final 2024 Rate Announcement no later than April 3, 2023.

In late February 2023, a peer-reviewed study was published assessing the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of Semler Scientific’s vascular testing product. Using cardiac echocardiography (Echo) as a gold standard for diagnosing heart failure, the study showed a statistically significant correlation (p<.01) between QuantaFlo® and Echo. The article, “Clinical Evaluation of Volume Plethysmography as an Aid for Diagnosis of Heart Failure in the Primary Care Setting,” was published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine and may be accessed through this link: https://preventive-medicine.imedpub.com/clinical-evaluation-of-volume-plethysmography-as-an-aid-for-diagnosis-of-heart-failure-in-the-primary-care-setting.pdf.

FIRST QUARTER 2023 FINANCIAL GUIDANCE

For the quarter ended March 31, 2023, Semler Scientific expects continued profitaiblity and generation of cash from operating activites. Semler Scientific believes that first quarter revenue will range from $17.4 million to $17.8 million and pre-tax net income, which includes interest income of approximately $0.4 million, will range from $5.6 million to $5.8 million. In light of the CEO transition and the anticipated final CMS Rate Announcement, Semler Scientific is not issuing guidance for the year ended December 31, 2023 at this time.

Page 3 of 9


Notice of Conference Call

Semler Scientific will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET. The call will address results of the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2022, as well as provide a business update on Semler Scientific’s market outlook and strategies for the near-term future.

Participants are encouraged to pre-register for the conference call using the following link: https://dpregister.com/sreg/10174345/f57dcc93c7. Callers who pre-register will be given a conference passcode and unique PIN to gain immediate access to the call and bypass the live operator. Participants may pre-register at any time, including up to and after the call start time. Those without internet access or who are unable to pre-register may dial in by calling:

Domestic callers: (866) 777-2509

International callers: (412) 317-5413

Please specify to the operator that you would like to join the "Semler Scientific Call." The conference call will be archived on Semler Scientific’s website at www.semlerscientific.com.

Page 4 of 9


Semler Scientific, Inc.

Statements of Income

Unaudited

(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for share and per share data)

For the three months ended December 31, 

For the year ended December 31, 

2022

2021

2022

    

2021

Revenues

$

13,794

$

11,542

$

56,686

$

53,027

Operating expenses:

 

 

Cost of revenues

1,182

2,165

 

4,252

 

6,122

Engineering and product development

1,365

1,104

 

4,809

 

3,780

Sales and marketing

4,654

4,039

 

17,685

 

14,445

General and administrative

2,977

2,524

 

12,737

 

9,235

Total operating expenses

10,178

9,832

 

39,483

 

33,582

Income from operations

3,616

1,710

 

17,203

 

19,445

Interest income

343

2

 

494

 

10

Other expenses

 

3

 

6

 

5

 

Other income

340

(4)

 

489

 

10

Pre-tax net income

3,956

1,706

17,692

19,455

Income tax provision

740

199

 

3,367

 

2,233

Net income

$

3,216

$

1,507

$

14,325

$

17,222

Net income per share, basic

$

0.48

$

0.22

$

2.13

$

2.56

Weighted average number of shares used in computing basic income per share

6,691,406

6,757,821

 

6,726,687

 

6,731,693

Net income per share, diluted

$

0.41

$

0.18

$

1.79

$

2.12

Weighted average number of shares used in computing diluted income per share

7,917,991

8,148,048

7,999,750

8,138,608

Page 5 of 9


Semler Scientific, Inc.

Balance Sheets

Unaudited

(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)

2022

    

2021

Assets

Current Assets:

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

$

23,014

$

37,323

Short-term investments

20,073

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $109 and $61, respectively

 

3,884

 

3,619

Inventory, net

469

550

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

1,468

 

4,044

Total current assets

 

48,908

 

45,536

Assets for lease, net

 

2,478

 

1,643

Property and equipment, net

 

667

 

394

Long-term investments

 

821

 

821

Notes held for investment

4,679

Other non-current assets

2,842

332

Long-term deferred tax assets

2,298

1,946

Total assets

$

62,693

$

50,672

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

835

$

443

Accrued expenses

 

4,748

 

3,436

Deferred revenue

 

1,160

 

921

Other short-term liabilities

114

80

Total current liabilities

 

6,857

 

4,880

Long-term liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Other long-term liabilities

160

245

Total long-term liabilities

 

160

 

245

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 6,906,544, and 6,824,380 shares issued, and 6,692,122, and 6,758,458 shares outstanding (treasury shares of 214,422 and 65,922), respectively

 

7

 

7

Additional paid-in capital

 

16,449

 

20,645

Retained earnings

 

39,220

 

24,895

Total stockholders’ equity

 

55,676

 

45,547

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

62,693

$

50,672

Page 6 of 9


Semler Scientific, Inc.

Statements of Cash Flows

Unaudited

(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)

For the years ended December 31, 

    

2022

    

2021

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net income

$

14,325

$

17,222

Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:

 

  

 

  

Depreciation

 

589

 

628

Deferred tax (income) expense

(351)

408

Loss on disposal of assets for lease

 

463

 

362

Gain on short-term investments

(77)

Loss on disposal of inventory

1,202

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

103

 

63

Stock-based compensation

 

741

 

749

Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:

 

 

Trade accounts receivable

 

(367)

 

(874)

Inventory

81

(1,412)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

2,576

 

(2,657)

Other non-current assets

(2,510)

86

Accounts payable

 

392

 

(234)

Accrued expenses

 

1,310

 

638

Other current and non-current liabilities

188

(125)

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

17,463

 

16,056

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Additions to property and equipment

 

(476)

 

(318)

Purchase of short-term investments

(19,996)

Purchase of notes held for investment

(4,679)

Purchase of assets for lease

 

(1,684)

 

(507)

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

(26,835)

 

(825)

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

  

 

  

Taxes paid related to net settlement of equity awards

(114)

(45)

Treasury stock acquired

(4,991)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

168

 

58

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities

 

(4,937)

 

13

(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH

 

(14,309)

 

15,244

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

37,323

 

22,079

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

$

23,014

$

37,323

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:

Cash paid for taxes

$

2,400

$

2,647

Exercised put option of 211,928 common stock in SYNAPS Dx for 40,922

$

$

2,230

common stock of the company

Page 7 of 9


About Semler Scientific, Inc.:

Semler Scientific, Inc. is a company that provides technology solutions to improve the clinical effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare providers. Semler Scientific’s mission is to develop, manufacture and market innovative products and services that assist its customers in evaluating and treating chronic diseases. Semler Scientific’s patented and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), cleared product, QuantaFlo®, is a rapid point-of-care test that measures arterial blood flow in the extremities to aid in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, such as peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and heart dysfunction (HD). QuantaFlo® is used by Semler Scientific’s customers to more comprehensively evaluate their patients for risk of mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), associated with a positive QuantaFlo® test. Semler Scientific has an agreement with Mellitus Health, Inc. (Mellitus) to exclusively market and distribute Insulin Insights™, an FDA-cleared software product that recommends optimal insulin dosing for diabetic patients in the United States, including Puerto Rico, except for selected accounts, and it made investments in Mellitus, in NeuroDiagnostics Inc., a privately held company doing business as SYNAPS Dx, whose product, Discern™, is a test for early Alzheimer’s disease, as well as Monarch Medical Technologies LLC, a privately held company whose product EndoTool™ offers a technology-enabled approach to inpatient glycemic management. Semler Scientific continues to develop additional complementary innovative products in-house, and seeks out other arrangements for additional products and services that it believes will bring value to its customers and to the company. Semler Scientific believes its current products and services, and any future products or services that it may offer, positions it to provide valuable information to its customer base, which in turn permits them to better guide patient care. Additional information about Semler Scientific can be found at www.semlerscientific.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking” statements. Such statements can be identified by, among other things, the use of forward-looking language such as the words “goal,” “may,” “will,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “would,” “could” or words with similar meaning or the negatives of these terms or by the discussion of strategy or intentions. The forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding Semler Scientific’s estimated first quarter 2023 revenue and pre-tax net income, as well as interest income; future profitability and cash from operating activities; and its expected changes in senior management among others. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause Semler Scientific’s actual results to differ materially from those discussed here, such as whether or not insurance plans and other customers will continue to license its cardiovascular testing products, including the risk of changes in the reimbursement landscape for its customers including related to the recent CMS advance notice, whether or not it will be able to successfully expand its product offering, whether or not QuantaFlo® can successfully aid in the diagnosis of heart dysfunction or expand this offering to its existing customer base, as well as Semler Scientific’s ability to continue to control expenses and preserve cash and meet its projected revenue and operating expense targets, along with those risk factors detailed in Semler Scientific’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements involve assumptions, estimates, and uncertainties that reflect current internal projections, expectations or beliefs. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements and the risk factors described above. Furthermore, all such statements are made as of the date of this release and Semler Scientific assumes no obligation to update or revise these statements unless otherwise required by law.

Page 8 of 9


.

.

INVESTOR CONTACT:

Susan A. Noonan

S.A. Noonan Communications

susan@sanoonan.com

917 513 5303

SOURCE: Semler Scientific, Inc.

####

Page 9 of 9